Working Hours of Au Pairs in Turkey
Understanding Au Pair Working Hours in Turkey
One of the most common questions about the au pair program is how many hours an au pair is expected to work. This question can be confusing because the program is primarily designed as a cultural exchange, where au pairs become part of the family while also taking on certain responsibilities. Naturally, au pairs often wonder how much “work” is required, and it can feel similar to asking, “How much should I act as a sister or brother before taking time for myself?” While this analogy illustrates the challenge, it is important to clearly define what counts as working hours. Understanding the distinction between work and personal time helps au pairs maintain a healthy balance while enjoying their cultural experience. Clear guidelines on working hours also ensure fairness for both the au pair and the host family, creating a positive and harmonious environment for everyone involved.
In general, an au pair’s working hours are calculated based on the time spent actively caring for children and performing household tasks, not the total time spent in the home or outside of her room. For example, an au pair may drop a child off at school at 9:00 AM, return home, and pick the child up at 6:00 PM. While the child is at school, the au pair might tidy the home, do light cleaning, or organize things around the house. However, not all of this time when she is at home, counts as full working hours. To simplify, working hours are only counted from the moment an au pair begins and finishes household tasks or directly cares for the children. When we calculate in this way then we can say of course weekly working hours should never exceed 60 hours. If you are more curious about the daily duties of an au pair please check here.
Activities That Do Not Count as Au Pair Working Hours
Meal times with the family
Casual family conversations
Visiting places with the family
Personal errands
Responsibilities and Boundaries: Defining Au Pair Working Hours
Outside of these working hours, it is entirely reasonable for au pairs to enjoy personal time. They are encouraged to rest in their private rooms, communicate with friends and family, pursue hobbies, or take online classes. This balance is an essential part of the exchange experience, ensuring that au pairs can maintain their personal well-being while being integrated into the family environment.
During their working hours, au pairs are responsible for various household and childcare tasks. These may include cleaning the home, preparing meals, tidying toys and rooms, using the dishwasher or washing machine, reading to children, playing, or even assisting in educational activities such as teaching a language. These tasks represent the core of an au pair’s responsibilities and are considered active work. On the other hand, certain activities, even if they occur alongside family life, do not count as working hours. For instance, participating in leisure activities without specific childcare responsibilities, such as accompanying the family on shopping trips, eating meals with the family, or taking personal study time, is considered personal time rather than work.
It is crucial for au pairs to understand the distinction between work and personal time to avoid misunderstandings. By focusing on the time spent on childcare and household responsibilities, and maintaining the weekly limit of 60 hours, au pairs can enjoy a rewarding experience in Turkey, balancing their professional responsibilities with personal growth and cultural immersion.